The Genesis Genealogies
- viewed through God's divine plan for the redemptive history -
Rev. Yoon-Sik Park, D.Min., D.D.
Huisun, printed in Korea. 2007.
Author's Foreword
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1
The Book of Genesis is called "The Book of the Beginning" because it is a record of the origin of the universe, the origin of man, the origin of the Fall, and the commencement of God's work of salvation. At the same time, Genesis is also the introduction to the entire Bible and the blueprint of the history of salvation.
(Isa 46:10) Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';
(Isa 48:3) "I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
The study of the basic foundation of Genesis, especially the genealogy of the generations(toledoth), holds profound soteriological (salvational) value. The genealogies in Genesis are not merely enumerations of years. They contain God's amazing plan for salvation which permeates through the entire Bible. In-depth study and research into the lives and ideologies of the patriarchs, as well as accounts of significant events, will greatly help our understanding of God's divine plan of redemption.
I took special interest in the years of generations recorded in the Genesis genealogies and focused on the Scripture verses, "Remember the days of old, consider the years of all generations..."(Deut 32:7) and "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it..."(Jer 6:16). In order to understand the true meaning of the genealogies, I researched for a long period of time, carefully read through the Bible, and referred to different books and resources.
I was able to discover the faith of the patriarchs alive and moving in the Genesis genealogies. Each and every step they took in faith left a clear imprint. They lived in eager anticipation of the woman's Seed (Gen 3:15); the sound of their charged heartbeats still reverberates today. Tears overwhelmed me and sleep escaped me as I was moved by the grace that led me to understand the hidden meaning of the years of generations.
(Gen3:15)And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. "
grace abounded even more abundantly as I shared my newfound understanding with the beloved members of the Pyung Kang Che-il Church during weekly Wednesday services and special gatherings. I testified of the grace I received from my study for the first time in 1968, and then in 1983 through a 6-month Bible study at the Wonji-Dong Retreat Center. Since then, I've added to and modified the study and shared it on different occasions both at home and abroad throughout 2005. The study blessed both me and the congregations with the overflowing inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
I delayed publishing this book because I doubted the need for such a book. However, I organized my studies into expository format at the strong urging of my fellow ministers and beloved congregation in 2007, in commemoration of the 50th "Jubilee" year anniversary of the ministry of His humble servant. Though this book may be inadequate as fruit presented before God, I took the courage to share it with the world because of the enormous grace that the congregation and I had received. I earnestly hope that even lager waves of grace sweep across the churches throughout the churches through this book.
This book is certainly not a theological or scholarly piece of work. I merely organized what I proclaimed through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit after repeatedly kneeling in prayer, and after reading the Bible through and through. I was greatly blessed by the writings of the forerunners of faith as I referred to them in my research for this book. I borrow the words of the author of Ecclesiastes and confess, "That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun" (Eccl 1:9)
(Eccl 1:9)That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.
The content of this book can hardly be considered complete in describing the infinite Word of God. It is a mystery that cannot be understood entirely even through a lifetime of research and study. I ask that you read this book with Christ-like heart of understanding, forgive any awkward sentences and give generous advice on any unintended mistakes.
When Peter asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him," Jesus answered in Matthew 18:22, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." I ask that you overlook any of my shortcomings with the love and mercy of Christ. If there was anything accomplished through this inadequate servant, I confess that it was not the work of this 80-year old sinner, but completely the work of the Lord.
Just as King David confessed, "My times are in Your hand" (Psa 31:15), the life I have lived and the history of the Pyung Kang Che-il Church are wholly in God's sovereign hand of grace. Truly, the mighty strength of God and the power of the Holy Spirit have been present. As I advance beyond the 50 years of ministry made possible only by the grace of God, I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to leave a trace of this immaterial life in the form of this meaningful book.
Finally, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude toward my fellow ministers, elders, leaders, and the congregation of the Pyung Kang Che-il Church, as well as all the helping hands that have made this book possible. In addition, I would like to thank my wife and children for their prayers and support.
I pray that Jesus Christ, the only Savior who died on the cross for all our sins and rose again on the third day, will always be with His churches around the world. Furthermore, I yearn for the day when the whole universe and all its people are filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (matt 28:19-20; Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14). I lift up all the glory to our only living God. Hallelujah!
The content of this book can hardly be considered complete in describing the infinite Word of God. It is a mystery that cannot be understood entirely even through a lifetime of research and study. I ask that you read this book with Christ-like heart of understanding, forgive any awkward sentences and give generous advice on any unintended mistakes.
When Peter asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him," Jesus answered in Matthew 18:22, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." I ask that you overlook any of my shortcomings with the love and mercy of Christ. If there was anything accomplished through this inadequate servant, I confess that it was not the work of this 80-year old sinner, but completely the work of the Lord.
Just as King David confessed, "My times are in Your hand" (Psa 31:15), the life I have lived and the history of the Pyung Kang Che-il Church are wholly in God's sovereign hand of grace. Truly, the mighty strength of God and the power of the Holy Spirit have been present. As I advance beyond the 50 years of ministry made possible only by the grace of God, I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to leave a trace of this immaterial life in the form of this meaningful book.
Finally, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude toward my fellow ministers, elders, leaders, and the congregation of the Pyung Kang Che-il Church, as well as all the helping hands that have made this book possible. In addition, I would like to thank my wife and children for their prayers and support.
I pray that Jesus Christ, the only Savior who died on the cross for all our sins and rose again on the third day, will always be with His churches around the world. Furthermore, I yearn for the day when the whole universe and all its people are filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (matt 28:19-20; Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14). I lift up all the glory to our only living God. Hallelujah!
(matt 28:19) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20)teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. "
(Isa 11:9) They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
(Hab 2:14) "For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.
October 27, 2007
From the Prayer Room at the Pyung Kang Che-il Retreat Center
Servant of Jesus Christ, Rev. Yoon Sik Park
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